Container sealing machine



Dec. 21, 1937. 5 BLACK ET AL 2,103,213

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 193 8 Sheets-Sh eet 1 l 5s 2 .1i I if i i I I lx 1| J win- I I I I Z Y I i 56 i a 42 39 N i i m 1643 II 4 I 1 Elma/whom Irv!) llBlac/i/ Ilemy .Silver- Dec. 21, 1937.

l. E. BLACK El AL 2,103,213 CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE 7 Filed Dec. 29,1954" s Sheets-Sheet 2 Elli/59E. blade. Henry 3.311061 Fredert'lielfloffizt;

Dec. 21, 1937. BLACK r AL 2,103,213

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1934 s Sheets-Shet 4 ,11,,will" /I/lI/II/II/I/I/I/I/IIIII/II/IIIII/I/II/III [III/Ill Dec. 21,1937. BLACK r AL 2,103,213

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 r 1Z3 .97V m i" .6. 1 v 2 I! 1Z5 5 1% I 117 M a 2k" 56 1 1 r q, 53 2 7; a 145 I]E 55 156 155 5 u 1 kg) 1 a v- 15 33 a 135. .,.9 i 138 1; 120 mi r 33 g:I O k9) 1 66 r i 130 g .58 8 10 i5 7 a 59 1o s6 N2? 15s 69 q 6k I 08 77M 9 z 121 5., I 1 10s 77 I. E. BLACK E1 AL 2,103,213 CONTAINER SEALINGMACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1954 8 Sheets-SheetQ Dec. 21, 1937.

'rederarfi; J Hoffa];

wvagg 8 41 9 w w mu 7 W 4 3 6 a W T 1 m fimwrm mnml? 7 3 5 mm m J 6 M 8y wmm n z Lllmu m M W H I m m a f l m 1 II H m Wu 4 T 6 1 0 M i: J I w Im I 1.. d 9 I lmn QM VIM a 5 m S \& MN I II l m M W 5 k 2 um m m i g m 3m mm mm 3 Q m J41 fi m l H 9 MW" 6 mm a m flu W I I 1 w m Patented Dec.21, 1937 2 103 213 a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER SEALINGMACHINE Irving E. Black, Frederick 'J. Hoffer, and Henry B.Silver,-B'rooklyn, N. Y., assignors to Plastic Seal Gorporation,Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 29,1934, Serial No. 759,784

'36 Claims. (CL. 226-- 80) The present invention relates to containervseal-- ing the entire sealing period when the container ing machines,and more particularly to the type is automatically released.

of machine in which a ribbon of viscous sealing In the accompanyingdrawings: material is discharged by a nozzle about the joint Figure 1 isan elevation of the machine. 9 between the cap or other closure andbodyor Figure 2 is a plan view of the sealing mechaneck of a containerto be sealed. nism of the machine.

The principal object of this invention is to pro- Fi ure 2a is asectional detail view of the manvide a novel machine which will applysuch a rib- .ually adjustable by-pass valve. bon completely about thejoint, and this is accomg 3 s n elevation of the Sealing mechaplished byproducing a ribbon having ends that nism of the machine. 1 p 10 overlap.Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig- Another object is toprovide novel means for ure's. r I regulating the discharge of thesealing fluid. to Figure 5 is a Sectional-View e Of F 7 apply an exactamount to each container, thus 11'18' V avoiding waste, and assuring anadequate amount Figure 6 a 586151011911 B Va D f the Seal n 15 of fluidfor effective sealing. a sm- Still another object is to provide novelmeans Figure 7718' a Sectional V On .Of i for automatically centeringthe closure of the z- V I V 7 container and novel means forautomatically Figure 3 is a Sectional View 0111i 0f clamping thecontainer being sealed during the 20 operation, and releasing it at theproper time. 7 Figure 9 is a View taken on line of gu e Another objectis to provide a nozzle so aru 1 a e tio al View Online Ill-400i rangedthat air will not be trapped beneath the ur 3- ribbon of fluid appliedto a container. Figure 10a is a sectional view on line "Jo -Illa A stillfur ier object is toprovide a nozzle of Figure6- 25 which willaccurately preform the ribbon of .fluid 11 e 1 is a sectional View online Il-|l of to fit the configuration oi the container and clo- F E-sure and the joint between them. Figure 12 is an elevation of themeasuring These objects are attained b-y'a machine in P m which acontainer is sealed by fluid discharged in Figure 13 is a P View ofnozzle the 30 a preformed ribbon under pressure from a'nozzleadjustabieisupport therefor- V during relative rotation between thecontainer 13 an elevation of the n z and and the nozzle. In order toassure sealing comportion Ofits supportingbracketpletely around thecontainer, the rotation during u 15 is a/View of the nozzle taken on11119 5 which fluid is discharged, is through more than '1545 of Figure.3" three hundred and sixty degrees, this resultingin Figure 16 isa-secti'ona'l' View Showing t an overlapping of th d of'th ribbonapplied 06; of clamping the adjustable support for'the to the container.Such a ribbon when dried idler g of the measuring mp ve. forms acontinuous band about the join-tand ef- Figure 17 is a plan View Q thecam controlling fegfively 5951s t container This sealing the operationof the container clamping mecha- 40 ing rotation through more than'acomplete circle is accomplished by What may be termed Figure 18 is asectional view of the sealing fluid back of the nozzle prior toeachsealing operareSEFVOIr' V V 7 tion, the delivery of sealing fluidbeginning when Flgur? 19' a front elevatlon of one form of the nozzlestarts its forward rotation. Automatic nozzlehp 45 valve operatingmechanism is" provided to-control Figure 20 a. Sect19na1 t 0f the m VFigure 21 1s a sectional-view of a modified nozthe starting and stoppingof delivery of fluid. to

. zle tip. V the nozzle at the proper time; and a measuring Figure 22 isa front elevation of the Same flf f q hY- f gl quantlty of "In thepreferred embodiment of the invention 50 mater1a.- during acertam periodis used to supply the machine is supportedby a base 25 Whichalso e N Dquantity each Operation- Means supports the motor 26 for driving themachine.

for centering the closure is operated before the An arm 21 supports thefluid reservoir 2 8 toone throwback period, and means is operated duringside of the machine. 1 n

this period to clamp the bottle and retain it'dur- I From the base heavyrods 29 extend up- 55 wardly, the rods 29 being slidably engaged bysplit clamping guides 30 attached to a casing 3| in which is the sealingmechanism. In order to raise and lower the casing 3| to operate uponcontainers of different heights threaded rods 32 are journaled at theirlower ends in a horizontal partition 33, as shown in Figure 8, theserods engaging threaded bosses in a horizontal yoke 33a supported at thetop of the machine by the guide rods 29. a hand wheel 36 by which it maybe turned and the rods are operatively connected together by a sprocketchain 34 engaging a sprocket wheel 35 on each of the rods.

The reservoir 28 is adjustably supported on rods 36, in turn supportedby the bracket 27, and consists of a body portion and a hinged cover, agasket being interposed to seal the opening. In order to indicate theamount of material in the reser voir, a gauge may be attached as at 31,this gauge preferably being of the hydraulic type and operated by theweight of the reservoir and fluid therein. Relief valves 38 forreleasing excessive internal pressure and permitting entrance of air asthe fluid is withdrawn may be provided. Thermostatically controlledheating coils of any suitable type, indicated at 39, may be used ifnecessary, depending on the viscosity of the particular fluid in thereservoir. The reservoir is large enough to contain a considerablequantity of fluid, and is equipped with internal ribs 49 upon which anopened can may be placed in inverted position to drain its contents.Such a can, designated 4|, is shown in Figure 18. I

The motor 26 drives a main drive shaft 42 through a clutch 43 operatedby a foot pedal 44. This clutch is preferably of a type that, whenengaged, can be disengaged only at a time when the machine is notperforming a sealing operation.

Mounted upon the base 25 is a constantly running feed pump 45 driven byshaft 42 through a sprocket chain 46. The feed pump draws fluid from thereservoir through a pipe line 4! and delivers it by way of a pipe line.8 to a fllter 49 within the casing 3|, from which it is delivered by apipe 59 to the measuring pump 5|. In order to allow adjustments, thepipes may be either flexible or may be rigid and flexibly jointed, allconnections being air-proof to prevent drying of the fluid in thesystem.

The measuring pump 5| is preferably ofthe type described in application,Serial No. 705,434,

and is designed to deliver a definite amount of V fluid during eachrevolution thereof. The measuring pump 5| is intermittently driven bymeans which will be described later. The feed pump 45 is constantlydriven to supply sealing fluid for the intermittently operatingmeasuring pump. To accommodate the fluid during the rest periods of themeasuring pump, a relief valve 52 is connected with the pipe 56 betweenthe filter 49 and the pump 5|, the relief valve discharging into abypass 53, which returns the excess fluid to the reservoir 28. Therelative capacities and speeds of the pumps 45 and 5| are such that whenthe measuring pump 5| is operating an excess will be supplied by thefeed pump 45, thus insuring an ample supply of fluid for the measuringpump.

The sealing mechanism proper is mounted within the casing 3| andsupported by the horizontal partition 33. A casing 54 is suitablysecured to the partition 33 in an opening in the partition. The casinghas a cover member 55 which supports the measuring pump 5|, the base 56of which rests upon it. The measuring pump 5| is One of the rods 32 isextended and bears supplied with sealing fluid by way of a passage 56ain the base 56, connecting with the pipe 50, and delivers it through a.passage 50b. Suitable gaskets preferably are interposed between thecasing 54 and cover 55, and the cover 55 and base 56 of the pump. I

To provide for an easily made manual adjustment of theexact amount offluid delivered by the measuring pump 5|, to the fluid delivery nozzle,

, an adjustable by-pass valve 52a may be connected to the deliverypassage 59b. by means of a pipe 590, its delivery connected to the fluiddelivery line by a pipe 50d, and its excess discharge connected to theby-pass pipe 53 by a connection 53a. This valve, shown in Figure 2a is aplug valve so arranged that as the connection with the delivery pipe50a. is closed, the connection with the pipe 53a is opened, so that asthe feed to the nozzle isdecreased, the amount returned to the reservoirby the connection 53a is increased.

Revolubly mounted within the casing 54 is a hollow shaft 58 having ahead 59 at its lower end. A sprocket wheel 60 is mounted upon the shaft58 for driving the same. Within the hollow shaft 58, and extendingvertically above it through the cover member 55 to the base 56 is ashaft 6| having a bore 62. The bore 62 connects with the discharge 59dof the by-pass valve 52a, and from it receives fluid supplied by thepump 5|. able packing 65, held by a packing nut 66, is inserted betweenthe shaft 6| and the shaft 58. The lower face of the packing nut 66 isabove the bottom surface of the head 59, leaving a chamber 61 below thenut.

Mounted upon the bottom of the head 59 and revoluble therewith is aplate 68 having at one side a nozzle bracket 69, and connecting thechamber 61 with a plurality of discharge ports 10, is a passagecontrolled by a rotatable valve 72.

A suitable gasket is preferably interposed between roller 16 on itsouter end. The roller 76 engages? with rotating cams by means of whichthe valve 12 is properly operated to permit the passage of fluid. duringthe operation of sealing a container and to stop it when the operationis completed.

The valve prevents fluid in the passage from v flowing out of the nozzlebetween sealing operations.

.A nozzle 11 having a passage 18 is slidably mounted upon the nozzlebracket 69, the passage 18 registering with any one of the ports 76 andthe others being suitably plugged. The three 'ports and the slidingmounting permit adjust The nozzle tips which are used in the sealing ofordinary sized containers, as distinguished from very small containersrequiring extremely narrow ribbons of fluid, are preferably constructedas follows.

of two duplicate semi-cylindrical parts 1% (see The discharge member isformed Figures 19 and 20), carefully machined on their meeting surfacesto'form a fluid tight joint. A tapered slot is machined in each member1% to form a fluid passage 19d, and the taper being toward the front ofthe members 791), where 60 back it merges into a discharge orifice 79f.Thetaper of the passage is varied at different points to exertpredetermined resistance to the-passage of fluid, in order to form aribbon of proper thickness at all points. The front of the member I9isprofiled to conform to theconfig-uration of the portions of thecontainer and'cap to be covered by the ribbon, with the exception thatthe lower portion 19g of the nozzle tip preferably 10 recedes from thecontainer, leaving a downwardly increasing space between the containerand the discharge member. Surroundingthe twosections 1% is a splitclamping ring 19h which holds them together.

bers 19b are bored to receive a bushing 191' having a flanged end, bymeans ofwhich it is clamped against the end of the nozzle I1 by athreaded ring 11b. The bushing has a bore 18a adapted to register withthe bore 18 of the nozzle.

20 The profile of the discharge member causes the ribbon to be preformedin the proper cross sectional shape to fit closely the cap and thecontainer and over the joint between them, when it comes into contactwith them, forming an exceedingly impermeable seal.

The modification shown in Figures 21 and 22 is intended for use withsmall containers where a very narrow ribbon is required. In this formthe discharge member, although it might be formed in one piece, ispreferably formed of two duplicate parts 1910, held together by a ringI9Z shrunken to hold them together. In such a construction, the front ofthe discharge member is slotted as at 19m to provide for spreadingthefluid to form the ribbon, and it is profiled toconform to theconfiguration of the container and cap. In this modification a ring1911., threaded to engage the nozzle Il, may engage a flange I90 at therear of the member 19k,

: 40 which member has a bore 191 to register with the passage I8 of thenozzle 11.

In order to present an understandable description of the mechanism foroperating the valve I2 and that for centering and clamping the'container in position, a brief description of the operation of thesealing mechanism above described will be given here, a description ofthe drive being given later.

After one sealing operation is completed, a

t container is brought into position by conveying.

means and automatically centered with. respect to the shaft 58 which isthe center of the rotating parts. Sealing takes place during rotation inone direction of the shaft 58 and other members rotating with it. Priorto the beginning of the sealing operation, the sealing mechanism isrotated in a reverse direction for a small distance, no fluid beingdischarged from the nozzle during this reverse rotation which is thethrowmotion. The clamping and centering mechanisms for holding thecontainer operate before the short reverse rotation and the containerremains clamped during the sealing' Then the rotation in the forward orsealing direction 1 65 begins, and coincidentally with this forwardrotation, fluid is discharged.

When the nozzle. has returned to its first position, and sealing iscompleted, before the next rearward motion, the container is releasedand carried away and a new operationbegins.

The valve I2 is controlled by two rotating cams 88 and BI, the former orlower camBIJ acting to depress the lever I5 to open the valve at thetime the, forward rotation of the sealing mechanism "";5 in and thelatter or up M acting to raise Behind the slot 190 the mem-' the lever15 and closeth'e valve at the end-of the forward motion, thevalve.remainin g closed during the short rearward rotation. I

The cams 88 and-8I are mounted respectively on shafts Stand 83 andtheclosing .cam .181 is "5 rotatably adjustable'onits shaft? 83 inrespect to the position in which it contacts the roller "Hi-thisadjustment serving to provide for an early or-late closing of the valve12; Shaft 82 is driven by a sprocket wheel 84. :and: drives shaft 10 S3through spur gears .85.

tering device, has a rear arm 92, which bears a roller 93 adapted to beengaged by a rotary cam 25 94 which raises the rear arm and depressesthe forward arm. The endof the forward arm of the lever 89 engages acollar 96 slidably mounted on a tubular member 91 whichis slidablevertically in a support 98 carried by the bracketIiB. 30 Surrounding thetubular member 91 is a spring 99 hearing against thecollar 96 at itsupper end,

, and at its lower end'against an enlarged shoulder I99 of the tubularmember. Between the shoulder I90 and the support 98 is another springIIlI which urges the tubular member upward. The tubular member 91 iskeyed against relative rotation with the s'upport98 by akey I02. Thecontainer closure centering cup I03 is removably attached to the tubularmember, and may be f ro' replaced by other cups to suit different sizesand styles of closures; The cup I93 is slotted at IMto prevent itscontact with the nozzle tip. When the nozzle has an, extension higherthan the top of the container cap, as is sometimes necessary-L lo forinstance, when it is desirable to form'the ribbon extending onto the topof thecontainer cap, the centering cup I93 wouldstrlke the nozzle 7 ifnot slotted. In use the machine is operated when a container is notin'position, the slot pro-M50.

vents damage to the nozzle by the cup.

When the forward arm of the lever 89 is depressed by thecam operatingthrough roller 93 V and the arm 92, it depresses the collar 96 against'thespring 99 which urges the tubular member downwardly against thespring III]. The cup I03 is lowered, centering thecontainer with respectto thesealing" nozzle. AS 'soon as the cam 94 has passed from undertheroller, theparts are returned totheir former position, shown inFigure 'fiiby'the spring II". The above-described centering mechanismoperates just before the beginning of the throwback period.

, Inasmuch as it is. sometimes necessary to form a', ribbon whichoverlaps the container cap and .extends onto the top' thereof, clampingmeans T for thecontainer are provided which engage the central; portionof the cap, but donot engageJor closely approach'the edge thereof. Inorder to firmly grip the containenvacuum gripping means 9 may beemployed. One form isldisclosed, though others may be used if desired.7,

Theclampinglever 99 has-a rearEbellcrank arm I05. which bears'onopposite sides ftw' o:rollers, oneof'which I06 engagesthe-statl"onar,i,'-"-cam $6? 37 5 n and the other of which I01 isadapted tobe en- .gaged by a rotarycam I08. The forward end of motion bya split ring I I I inserted into the chan-' nel formed by grooves cut inthe stem of the plunger and the wall of the tube respectively, The lowerend of the tube H0 bears a rubber vacuum cup I I3 adapted to grip thetop of a container closure when pressed against it. The forward'arm ofthe lever 90 is urged upwardly to its unclamping position by a spring H4seated in a socket in an extension H5 of the bracket 88.

The clamping devices above described operate when the throwback periodbegins. During the period when a container is being brought to position,the sealing mechanism is at rest, and during this time, the roller I05lies in the dwell 81 of the cam 86. When the throwback motion begins,the lever 90 being carried by the head 59 and rotating withit, theroller I06 rides out of the dwell 81 and the forward arm of the lever 90is depressed, moving downwardly the plunger I09, tube H0, and pressingthe vacuum cup I I3 against the container closure, shown as a cap I I6.The container is clamped during the entire sealing operation from thebeginning of the throwback operation and during rotation from theextreme throwback position during a complete revolution and beyond thethrowback position to the point where the roller I06 reenters the dwell87. In order to allow the roller I06 to pass the dwell 81 during thesealing operation when it passes starting position, the roller I0'I onthe opposite side of the crank arm I05 from the roller I06, and therotating cam I08 are provided. The cam I 08 is adjusted so that itshighest point lies in the path of the roller ID! at the time that theroller I09 is passing the dwell 81 in the cam track 86. When the sealingoperation is complete and the roller I06 again approaches the dwell, thecam I 08 is out of position to prevent its entry into the dwell, and thespring H4 acts to return the lever to its nonclamping position, pullingwith it the plunger I09 and, by means of the ring III, the tube H0 andvacuum cup H3.

In order to drive the various mechanisms heretofore described, a systemof gears, shafts and sprockets is employed.

Inasmuch as there are three shafts in relatively triangular relation andin each of the detailed Figures 3, 6 and '7, one or another of theshafts falls. directly behind one of the remaining two, for the sake ofclarity reference is made to Figure 9.

Within the casing 3| and respectively above and below the partition 33are shelf-like supports II! and H8, which support bearings for thevarious shafts. The main drive shaft 42 runs in bearings in support H8and partition 33, immediately above which it terminates. Adjacent themain drive shaft is a shaft I I9 which is hereafter termed theintermediate shaft, and a third I shaft I20 termed the counter-shaft.The positions of these shafts is shown in plan in Figure 2.

The intermediate shaft H9 is driven from the main drive shaft 42 by adriving gear I2! mounted on the main drive shaft 42 meshing with a gearI22 mounted near the lower end of the inter mediate shaft. These gearsI2I, I22 are mutilated in orderto give intermittent rotation to thegears.

--The train of gears driving the measuring pump -5I'-' comprises anidler gear I24 and a driven gear I25mountedon' the drive shaft I26 ofthe measuring pump. The gear I25 is readily de- -mountable-to permitdifferent sized gears to be substituted when it becomes necessary,because of a change in-the size of containers being operated upon, orfor other reasons, to change the speed of the pump and theconsequentamount of fluid delivered by it. To allow for different sizedgears, the support I2! for. the idler gear I24 is centrally for rotationpivoted about the intermediate shaft H9 to allow for difierent sizedgears to be substituted for gear I25, and is adapted to be secured inposition by a clamp I28 upon the support I-I'I.

Surrounding the lower portion of the intermediate shaft H9 and rotatablerelative thereto is a short hollow shaft I29. This hollow shaft I29 iscontinuously driven from the main drive shaft 42 by a driving spur gearI30 and a driven 'spur gear I3I. Y Mounted upon the hollow shaft I29 forrotation therewith are the cams 94 and I08 for operating the containercap centering and container clamping mechanisms.

The'intermediate shaft II9 supports a second,-

hollow shaft I33 surrounding the intermediate shaft and rotatablerelative thereto. The hollow shaft is vertically supported bya suitablebearingv upon the partition 33. A sprocket wheel I34 mounted on thehollow shaft I33 drives the shaft 58- and consequently the sealingmechanism, by means of a sprocket chain I35 engaging the sprocket wheel60.

The counter-shaft I20 is driven from the main drive shaft 42 by a gearI37 mounted on the main drive shaft and meshing with a gear I36 mountedon the counter-shaft. A sprocket wheel I38 upon the constantly rotatingcounter-shaft drives the sprocket 84, through which the valvecontrolling cams 80 and 8! are driven by means mediate shaft H9 by gearsI4! and I 48 mounted upon the intermediate and splined shaftsrespectively. The gears I4'I and I43 are mutilated in order to give theshaft I46 intermittent rotation. ..Slidingly-mounted for verticalreciprocation between'upper and lower positions on the splined shaft .I46 is a driving spur gear I49, adapted when in its lower position, tomesh with a driven gear I50 mounted upon and secured to the hollow shaftI33 which it drives. A spring I5! is interposed between the gears I48and I49 and urges the gear I49 to its lower and meshing position.

Beneath the gear I49 is a lever I52 having a forked end engaging theunderside of the gear I49 and having its other end pivoted to a bracketI53 upon the wall of the casing 3| (see Figure 3). The lever I 52 ismoved upwardly to raise the gear I49 by a roller I54 mounted on the ,7block I44 and consequently rotating with the counter-shaft I20, theroller operating: against. a cam projection I540, upon thelever I5-2.

Below the block I44 an arm I is mounted upon and rotates with thecounter-shaft I20. This arm operatesto produce thethrowback motion ofthe sealing mechanism by engagingan arm I55 upon the hollow shaft I33 atthe time when the gear I49 is in its upper position and out of mesh withthe gear I50, and through the arm I56, driving the hollow shaft I33 in adirection reverse to that in which it is driven by the gear I49. Thisreverse motion is relatively brief and is transmitted to the sealingmechanism by the sprocket chain I35.

Containers are delivered to the sealing mecha.

nism by a dial type conveyor and this conveyor is provided withautomatic centering, devices for properly positioning thecontainers-beneath the cap centering cup. The dial I51 (see Figure'9) issuitably mount-.

ed for rotation on the top of the-base25; It is intermittently drivenfrom the main driveshaft 42 by a mutilated gear I58 driving an idlershaft I59 through the driven gear I60. The idler shaft drives by meansof a spur gear I6I, a gear I62 secured to the hub I63 of the dial, whichhub extends through a bearing insertedinan opening in the top of thebase. The main drive shaft passes through a bore in the hub-and isnot incontact with the hub or dial.

About the outer edge of the dial I5! is a series of cavities I64 adaptedto hold containers-com veyed by the dial. Q

In order to center the containers withrespect to the cap-centering cupI03, a heart-shaped cam I65 is rigidly secured to the undersideofthersupw port II8, the point of the cam-being inlinewith the center ofthe cap-centering cup I03. For each cavity I64, a pair of tongs I66,supported on a rod I6! is provided. Therods I61 are adjustable to raiseand lower the tongs for containers of different sizes. Each pair oftongs. is operated by a roller I68 engaging the periphery ofthe-oam I65,the roller being connected to a spreader I69 reciprocating in and outbetween and bearing against the rearward arms I'I'0 of the-tongs, and

thus operating to close the jaws of the tongs and allow them to openunder the influence of springs I101. The point of the cam I65, being in.line with the center of the cap-centering cup, the tongs are closedwhenpthe container is beneath the cup, and as the tongs are; rigid,thecontainer is positively positioned in spite of any variation. in thecontainer positioned in a cup l64, due to unevenness of the containerbase, dirt or1 the;;dial

or other cause. 7 1 v 1 Containers are loaded onto the dial; and removedtherefrom in any suitable manner.

A sealing operation takes place as follows:

The dial brings a container, which is centered by the tongs I66, intosealing position beneath the centering cup and stops, due toitsintermittent driving gear I58 until the sealing operation is complete.At this time the machine-is in the following condition, thecounter-shaft I20 and the hollow shaft I29 rotating, the intermediate.

shaft H9 and the hollow shafts I33 and I46 stationary, the gear I49 inmeshwith the gear I50, and valve 12 closed. As the hollow shaft I29rotates, cam 94 engages the lever 89 andlowers the cap centering cup I03which engages the cap of the container and centers it relative to thenozzle.

At this time the gear I49 is raised out of mesh with the-gear I50, afterwhichthearm I55--engages the arm I56, causing the throwback motion of..the sealing mechanism through the hollow shaft I33 and sprocket chainI35. Atthe beginning of this motion the lever 90 is depressed, loweringthe container-clamping vacuum.,cup H3 and pressing it against thecontainer cap; This is the only time that the centering and clampingcups are together in contact with the closure of the container. Cam 94now moves away and the centering cup I03 is raised, the clamping cupII3' remaining engaged with the closure. When the throwback motion iscomplete, the roller I154 passesafrom under the lever I52and the gear149 meshes with the gear I50, locking the sealing mechanism againstmovement so thatwhen the cam 90 driven from the constantly rotatingcounter-shaft I20 opens the valve I2, the cam will not move the .head59- out of position.

After the valve 'IZhas been opened, the gear; I22- is rotated by thegear I2I, and drives the inter- 'mediate shaft,'.f driving the,measuring pump through gears I23, I24, I25, and through. gears I41,I48, I49, and I50, driving the hollow shaft 'and consequently thesealing mechanism in its forward direction; The roller I06 is 'allowedto pass the dwell B'I'due to the action of the cam I08 upon the roller I01. When the sealing mechanism has completed one operation, the cam-6|closes the valve I2, the rotation of the intermediate shaft ceases, andthe roller I06 enters the dwell 81 of the cam track 86, releasing thecontainer. Now the dial starts moving, carrying away the sealedcontainer while the tongs, are released, and a new container is beingpositioned for the next operation. a

It will be noted that the gear I49 is raised out of mesh with the gearI50, slightly before'the container is finally centered, and beforethethrow backmotion ismade; the nozzle and sealing mechanism during theperiod between the com- From the foregoing, it is thought that theconstruction, operation and, many advantages of the herein describedinvention will be apparent to 7 those skilled in the art without furtherdescription, and it will be understood, that 'various' changes in thesize, shape, proportion and: minor details of construction may beresorted to'without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention. I

What we claim is:

1. In a container-sealing machine havinga 0 container support and means.for discharging sealing fluid about the joint betweena container and itsclosure upon thecontainer support; said support'and discharging meansbeing relatively.

movable, and means for causing relative moveinent between the containersupport and the dis;-

charge means, first in one direction and thereafter in anotherdirection.

2. In a container sealing machine having a container support and meansfor discharging sealing fluid about the joint between a'container andits closure upon the container support, said 7 support and discharging.means being relatively rotatable, and means for causinglrelativerota-j.

tion between the container support and the diecharging means, first inone direction and thereafter in another direction.

3. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle rotatable about a container upon the support and adapted duringrotation in one direction to discharge fluid about the joint between thecontainer and its closure, means for rotating the nozzle in onedirection, and means for initially rotating the nozzle for a limitedperiod in the reverse direction.

4. In a container sealing machine having a container support, a nozzle,said nozzle and support being relatively rotatable, and intermittentlyoperating means for supplying sealing fluid to the nozzle during saidrelative rotation in one direction, and means for causing the relativerotation in an opposite direction for a limited distance during the timethe fluid supplying means is inactive.

5. The combination with a sealing nozzle movable in opposite directions,of means for intermittently driving it in one direction, and means forcausing a reverse movement of the nozzle when the intermittent drivingmeans is inactive.

6. In a container sealing machine having a container support, a nozzlerotatable about a container upon the support, a pump for supplyingsealing fluid to the nozzle, and means for intermittently driving thepump and the rotatable nozzle, means operating during the idle periodsof the intermittent pump, and. nozzle driving means for causing limitedreverse rotation of the nozzle.

'7. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle rotatable about a container upon the container support andadapted to discharge sealing fluid about the joint between suchcontainer and its closure, intermittently operating gears for drivingthe nozzle in one direction, and means for driving the nozzle in theopposite direction during periods of inactivity of the intermittentgears.

8. In a container sealing machine having a container support and arelatively rotatable nozzle adapted to deliver sealing fluid about thejoint between a container and its closure on the support, clamping meansfor the container movable with the nozzle relatively to the support, arelatively stationary cam track adapted to operate the clamping meanshaving a releasing dwell, means for causing intermittent relativerotation of the nozzle and support in one direction, in combination withmeans for initially causing relative rotation of the support and noz zlein a reverse direction and causing the clamping means to be operatedduring said reverse movement, and means for maintaining the clampingmeans inoperation whenjpassing the releasing dwell of the cam trackduring the movement succeeding the reverse movement.

9. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle adapted to deliver sealing fluid about the joint between thecontainer and its closure upon the container support, said support andnozzle being relatively rotatable, said nozzle having a passageway fordelivering fluid to the nozzle, a valve controlling the passage of fluidthrough the passageway, and means operated by the relative rotation ofthe nozzle and container support for controlling the valve.

10. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle bracket rotatable about a container upon the container supportand having a fluid passageway therein, a. valve controlling thepassageway, a lever for operating the valve, and means in the path ofthe lever as the nozzle bracket rotates for causing the lever to operatethe valve.

11. In a container sealing machine havinga container support, a nozzlesupporting bracket having a fluid passage therein, a valve controllingthe passage, and a lever operating the valve, means for driving thenozzle bracket in a forward direction and for initially driving it abrief distance in the reverse direction, a rotary cam for engaging thelever at the beginning of the forward motion to open the valve, and asecond rotary cam to engage the lever at the end of the forward motionto close the valve.

12. In a container sealing machine having a container support, thecombination with container clamping mechanism mounted on the containersupport, and means for engaging the closure of a container upon thesupport and positioning the same, of a vacuum cup for engaging the saidclosure and holding it in position during the operation of the machine.

13. In a container sealing machine having a container support andintermittently operating sealing mechanism, mechanism for clamping acontainer in position for sealing, the said clamping mechanism includinga movable centering cup for engaging the closure of a container upon thecontainer support, a vacuum cup movable relative to the centering cup,means for movin the centering cup and the vacuum cup into engagementwith the container closure and for removing only the centering cup priorto the operation of the sealing mechanism, and means for disengaging thevacuum cup after the operation of the sealing mechanism.

14. In a, container sealing machine having a container support and meansfor applying sealingfluid about the-joint between a container and itsclosure, a closure centering device, and means for operating thecentering device prior to the operation of the fluid applying means.

15. In a container sealing device, a nozzle for shaping and applying aribbon of sealing fluid about the joint between a container and itsclosure, the said nozzle having a discharge orifice in its front faceand having the said face about the orifice profiled to substantiallyconform to the configuration of the container and closure in proximityto the joint between them.

16. In a container sealing device, a nozzle for shaping and applying aribbon of sealing fluid about the joint between a container and itsclosure, the said nozzle having a discharge orifice in its front faceand having the said face about the orifice profiled to substantiallyconform to the configuration of the container and closure in proximityto the joint between them, and that portion of the face of the nozzleopposite the container receding from the surface of the container as itapproaches the part most distant from the joint.

17. In a container sealing device, a nozzle for shaping and applying aribbon of sealing fluid about the joint between a container and itsclosure, the said nozzle having a forwardly tapered fluid passagetherein terminating in a discharge orifice in the front face of thenozzle, the front face of the nozzle about the discharge orifice beingprofiled to substantially conform to the configuration of the containerand closure in proximity to the joint.

18. In a container sealing device, a nozzle for shaping and applying aribbon of sealing fluid about the joint between a container and itsclosure, thesaid nozzle having a tapered rectangular fluid passagetherein terminating in a discharge oriflce in the front face of thenozzle, the front face of the nozzle being profiled to substantiallyconform to the configuration of the container and cap in proximity tothe joint between them, and the taper of the passage being varied toexert predetermined resistance to the passage of fluid to the differentpoints of the profiled face.

19. In a container sealing machine having means for applying sealingfluid about the joint between a container and its closure, means forpositioning and holding a container with respect to the fluid applyingmeans, and means for positioning the closure with respect to the fluidapplying means.

20. In a container sealing machine having means for applying sealingfluid about the joint between a container and its closure, means forpositioning an-dholding a container with respect to the fluid applyingmeans, means for positioning the closure with respect to the fluidapplying I means, and additional means engaging the container closurefor holding the container and closure in position during the applicationof the fluid.

21. In a container sealing machine, intermittently operating means forapplying sealing fluid about the joint between a container and its 010-sure, and means adjacent the fluid applying means for positioning thecontainer with respect to the fluid applying means and prior to theoperation thereof, the said positioning means moving out of the way ofthe fluid applying means before the operation thereof begins.

22. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle for applying sealing fluid about the joint between a containerand its closure upon the container support, the said support andnozzlebeing relatively rotatable, means adapted'to engage the closurefor centering the closurefwith respect to the nozzle, said means beingmovable out of the way of the nozzle.

23. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle for applying sealing fluid about the joint between a containerand its closure upon the container support, the said support and nozzlebeing intermittently and relatively rotatable, means for centering theclosure with respect to the nozzle and adapted to engage the closureduring the inactive period of the relatively rotatable nozzle andsupport, said means being movable out of the way of the nozzle beforethe commencement of the relative rotation.

24. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle for applying sealing fluid about the joint between a containerand its closure upon the container support, the said support and nozzlebeing intermittently and relatively rotatable, means for centering theclosure with respect to the nozzle and adapted to engage the closureduring the inactive period of the relatively rotatable nozzle andsupport, said means being movable out of the way of the nozzle beforethe commencement of the relative rotation, and container clamping meansadapted to engage the central portion of the closure during the relativerotation.

25. In a container sealing machine having a container support and meansfor applying sealing fluid about the joint between a container and itsclosure upon the container support, the

said fluid applying means and support being relatively rotatable, andmeans for causing intermittent relative rotation initially for less thanone revolution in one direction and then for more than one completerevolution in another direction between the support and the fluidapplying means.

26. In a container sealingmachine having a container support and anozzle rotatable about a container upon the container support forapplying sealing fluid about the joint between the con tainer and itsclosure, and means for intermittently causing the nozzle to rotate for apredetermined distance of less than one revolution in one direction andthen for more than one complete revolution in an opposite direction.

27. In a container sealing machine having a container support and anozzle rotatable about a container upon the support, mechanism fordrivingth-e nozzle including a main drive shaft, an intermediate shaftdriven intermittently by the main drive shaft, 21. counter shaftsteadily driven by the main drive shafaa hollow shaft surrounding theintermediate shaft and rotatable relatively thereto, means for drivingthe said hollow shaft intermittently from the intermediate shaft, andmeans for driving the hollow shaft from the counter-shaft in a reversedirection during the inactive period of said intermittent driving means,and driving connections between the hollow shaft and the rotatablenozzle.

28. In a container sealing machine having a container support, and anozzle rotatable about a container upon the container support, drivingmechanism including a main drive shaft, an intermediate shaft, m-eansforintermittently driving the intermediate shaft from the main drive shaft,a counter-shaft constantly, driven by the main drive shaft, a hollowshaft surrounding a portion of the counter-shaft and rotatable withrespect thereto, means for intermittently driving the hollow shaft fromthe intermediate shaft, a hollow shaft surrounding a portion of theintermediate shaft and rotatable with respect thereto,

a shiftable driving gear upon and revolving with gear is out of meshwith the driven gear, and

driving means connecting the hollow shaft surrounding the intermediateshaft and the nozzle.

29. In a container sealing machine having a container support, a nozzlerotatable about a container upon thecontainer support, a'pump forsupplying sealing fluid to the nozzle byway of a passage, a valvecontrolling the flow'of fluid through the passage, means for controllingthe valve, means for centering a container closure with respect to thenozzle, and means for clamping a container during the sealing operation,driving mechanism including a main drive shaft, an intermediate shaft,means for intermittently driving the intermediate shaft from the maindrive shaft, driving means connecting the intering means for controllingthe operation of'the closure centering and container clamping means andsurrounding a portion of the intermediate shaft and rotatable withrespect thereto, means 7 7O mediate shaft and the pump, a hollow shaftbearfor constantly driving the hollow shaft from the main drive shaft, acounter-shaft, means'for constantly driving the counter-shaft from themain drive shaft, driving means connecting the counter-shaft and thevalve controlling means, a hollow shaft surrounding a portion of thecounter-shaft, means for intermittently driving the hollow shaft fromthe intermediate shaft, a shiftable driving gear mounted on andrevolving with the hollow shaft, means for shifting the said gear, asecond hollow shaft mounted upon the intermediate shaft and rotatablewith respect thereto, a driven gear mounted upon the second hollow shaftand meshing with the shiftable gear in one of the latters positions,means mounted upon the counter-shaft for driving the second hollow shaftupon the intermediate shaft in a reverse direction in the period whenthe shiftable gear is out of mesh with the driven gear, and drivingmeans connecting the second hollow shaft upon the intermediate shaft andthe rotatable nozzle.

30. A nozzle for container sealing machines including a front facehaving a discharge orifice therein, the said front face being profiledto substantially conform to the configuration of a container anditsclosure in proximity to the joint between them.

31. A nozzle for container sealing machines comprising a body having afluid passage therein and a discharge orifice, and a face surroundingthe discharge orifice profiled to substantially conform to theconfiguration of a container and its closure in proximity to the jointbetween them.

32. A nozzle for container sealing machines comprising a body having atapered transversely elongated fluid passage therein, and a dischargeopening, the said passage tapering inwardly to.- ward an elongateddischarge opening, and the face of the nozzle about the dischargeopening being profiled to substantially conform to the configuration ofa container and its closure in proximity to the joint between them.

33. A nozzle for container sealing machines comprising a body having atapered transversely elongated fluid passage therein and a dischargeopening, the said passage tapering inwardly toward an elongateddischarge opening, the face of the nozzle about the elongated dischargeorifice being profiled to substantially conform to the configuration ofa container and its closure in proximity to the joint between them, andthe taper of the fluid passage being varied to exert predeterminedresistance at different points of the passage to regulate the flow offluid to the discharge orifice.

34. A nozzle for container sealing machines comprising a longitudinallydivided body composed of two substantially duplicate parts having slotstherein forming a transversely elongated fluid passage terminating in adischarge orifice, and a clamping ring surrounding and securing togetherthe parts of the body.

35. A nozzle for container sealing machines comprising a longitudinallydivided body composed of two substantially duplicate parts having slotstherein forming a transversely elongated fluid passage terminating in adischarge orifice, a bushing inserted in the body and having an inletpassageway therein connecting with the transversely elongated fluidpassage, and a clamping ring surrounding and securing together the partsof the body.

36. A nozzle for a container sealing machine including a body having afluid passage therethrough and an elongated discharge slot in the frontface of the body and connected to the fluid passage, the front face ofthe body about the discharge slot being profiled to substantiallyconform to the configuration of a container and its closure in proximityto the joint between them.

IRVING E. BLACK. HENRY B. SILVER. FREDERICK J. HOFFER.

